AU/AH. This idea just started floating in my head, and I couldn't get it out. I am not going to lie, it will be OOC for Derek. He will be more outgoing. I figured since he isn't a werewolf, I am going to give him a break and make him more social. Please don't hate me for it!

Just The Way I Like It

Chapter One

Derek stared up at the ceiling in his room, unable to control his wandering thoughts. His day started off as a typical day. He ate his breakfast of champions; joked off with Simon a little bit, and endured the stares he receives from walking down the hallway. Everything was naturally in sync, just the way Derek liked it.

It wasn't until first period that Derek's day turned upside down. At his new school, students are required to take two credits of an art. He glared at the ceiling remembering the day that he asked his counselor if he could switch his art for a science. "Art won't get you far in life. If I want to be prepared for medical school, I need to take Biology 2." The counselor told Derek that he needed to check his attitude. Talk about being a hypocrite.

Derek sucked up his hatred for his Theatre I class, but that did not stop his urge to glare at everyone in that class. Some may say he hates everyone because he dislikes how they are better than him; others say that he hates everyone because he can't communicate well with people besides his family. The real reason Derek hates everyone in theatre is because they are all fake. They are so used to playing other roles, that they do not who they are anymore. And sadly, Derek's brother, Simon, has a thing for drama girls, and half of them broke him to pieces. Derek does not understand why Simon keeps running back to girls when all they do is make him hurt in the end. But, he does.

When the teacher introduced the new girl to the class, Derek was not paying attention. All she will be is another girl to break Simon's heart. When Derek looked up to see the girl, his heart slammed into his chest. She was gorgeous. She was short; probably about 5 feet flat, but she carried it well. It was as if she accepted that she is short, and tried to embrace it. Her hair framed her face perfectly, and her hair has red streaks through it to look more her age. What truly makes the new girl beautiful is her eyes. Her blue orbs hypnotized Derek, and caught him off guard. For once, Derek wasn't thinking about the new girl being with Simon; Derek was thinking about her being with himself. Derek then understood why Simon runs back towards girls.

As Derek lies in bed, he realized how selfish he was back then. The new girl deserves to be with Simon. Derek would just tower over her, while Simon is perfect height. Simon can treat the girl right; Derek wouldn't even know how to talk to her. If Derek wants the girl to be happy, Simon is the best choice.

In reality, Derek's stomach does somersaults just by thinking of her. He likes her, a lot. These feelings are bouncing in Derek's head, and it is hard to make it stop. This girl is dangerous. She makes Derek feel ways that he has never felt before. The uncertainty kills him alive. Derek's barriers need to be brought up because people can't be trusted—even if the girl seems nice.

Derek keeps trying to tell himself this before he goes to bed, but he already knows it is no use. He is fond of Chloe Saunders, and he must do everything he can to make sure she likes Simon.

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Derek trudged on to his classroom, afraid of what Theatre is awaiting him today.

"Come on, bro," Simon said. "One more year of Theatre then you are done. If you fail, you would have to take it for two more years, and it will go on your records."

Derek glared at some kids who were laughing at his bulky figure from a distance, while Simon winked at some sophomores who were checking him out. The mornings generally went like this—Derek glared while Simon winked and gave high fives. Two polar opposites somehow managed to get along as best friends and brothers.

"Don't remind me," Derek muttered his mood still bad. Derek was walking aimlessly to the classroom until he slowed down because he noticed a certain blonde haired girl with red stripes standing by the door.

"Who is she?" Simon asked, immediately interested. Jealousy sparked up instantly in Derek's chest, until Derek realized that Simon and Chloe together is what he wanted all along. Simon will have to leave to his respected class soon, but he still had time to chat. Simon was getting his famous smile on his face, until he looked up at his brother.

"She is Chloe Saunders. She is new because of her dad's work or something," Derek said while studying her features. Simon glanced between his brother and the new girl, with a face similar to when he works out math problems. Realization hit Simon's face, and Simon got a smug look on his face.

"You know what, bro; I think she looks more like a friend than as a special friend. Now for you…" Derek ignored his brother and walked to the theatre doors in a daze. Chloe and Simon will be together. It's what's best for everyone. Derek didn't even realize that he brushed pass Chloe on his way through the door, and felt like an idiot once he didn't say hi.

Derek walked into the classroom and put his head on his desk. Drama will be hell for the next quarter. He can't even go to class without worrying about what to say to a girl. She will probably end up giving him the looks everyone else shoots at him. She will fall for Simon, and stay away from the brooding foster brother. That is what they all did, and that's all she will be. Something nagged Derek's brain that Chloe is different.

"Hi-i,, I k-kn-know it is-s no-not m-my buis-buissness, but ar-are yo-you fee-feeling okay? You j-just s-stom-stomped in-into the classroom, and I was w-wondering…" Derek looked up into the big blue eyes of Chloe Saunders. Derek sensed that she felt embarrassed and uncomfortable—her hands were tapping her sides and she couldn't look Derek in the eyes for fear that he would yell at her.

"Yeah, I'm just tired, I guess," Derek told her quietly. Chloe's eyes shot back into Derek's, and she just stared at him. Derek could tell that she was debating on whether to say something or not. Derek gave her one of his 'just tell me' looks. Chloe sighed inwardly and looked down at her feet to avoid meeting Derek's gaze.

"W-well, what t-they all sa-say about you isn't r-really true. People t-told me to b-be careful and watch o-out. I don't see what is so s-sc-scary. I w-wouldn't even m-m-mind ha-hanging out wi-with you, so i-if you w-want l-later..." Chloe let her sentence drift, waiting for Derek to give a response. Derek looked at Chloe, trying to be calm. He took his pencil, and started to nervously tap it against the desk. Just as Derek was about to open his mouth, class began and they had to sit down and be quiet. For the first time since school started, Derek truly hated his Theatre I class.

Chloe gave Derek an apologetic smile, while Derek got the courage to write her a note.

Want to hang out after school one day this week? We can get ice cream together, and I can show you around town.

Derek held his gaze away from Chloe's while she read the note. Derek was scared that she would say no, but he is only asking her for ice cream. It's an act of friendship, right? He could introduce Chloe to Simon, and continue with his original plan. Chloe threw the note on Derek's desk because she could not get his attention to pass it. Derek closed his eyes while he opened it and read:

Only if you treat(;

Derek's heart zoomed with relief that was immediately replaced with being nervous. Derek caught Chloe's attention and mouthed tomorrow? Chloe nodded and Derek smiled what felt like the first time in months.

Please do not get offended with the drama girl criticism; I love theatre! I just see Derek hating the arts. Sad, I know. This is going to be a very short story. I don't have much time during school for much of anything. But, I can promise that each chapter will be over 1,000 words. It's a personal goal of mine. Please review harshly! It would be a great New Years gift…(;